Pictured above: Bernadettes manager Ann Bennett with the award the restaurant won for its dramatic transformation

A Stratford restaurant which has been transformed from a controversial eyesore into an upmarket seafood restaurant and champagne and oyster bar has won a prestigious award for the quality of its conversion.

Bernadettes, on the site of the former Island café  in Guild Street, was presented with the Stratford District Council promoted Built in Quality Award for its transformation from a derelict café into a stunning three-storey restaurant with hidden roof terrace.

The restaurant won top prize in the small commercial buildings category of The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Built in Quality Awards.

It was among more than 2,500 new buildings, conversions and extensions assessed over the last two years by the district council's building control surveyors in a drive to reward quality and innovative use of building technology.

Stratford District Council interim head of planning Tony Perks explained: "Everyone in town must have been delighted to see the conversion of the building from ugly duckling into gracious swan. The transformation of an eyesore to an elegant building on a key site on one of the main entrances into Stratford was very welcome and long overdue. What was a blot on the landscape is now a high quality welcoming asset for the town.

"We are very keen to promote high quality buildings, developments, conversions and extensions in the domestic and commercial sphere. We feel it is only right that we should reward and recognise the developers and architects who have played such a vital role in enhancing the beautiful area in which we live by putting care, thought, and attention to detail into their work - from the small loft conversions to major landmark public buildings."

Bernadettes is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for owner Lyndsay Clemmow, who designed the building in conjunction with David Owen at Alcester based Prodesign. Downstairs is a champagne and oyster bar, the middle floor enables diners to watch chefs at work in the kitchen, and the roof terrace is a popular location for lunchtimes and after work drinks in the spring and summer.

Restaurant manager Ann Bennett added: "We're thrilled with our award. A huge amount of hard work went into transforming the building from a hideous eyesore into something which combines stunning architecture with style and grace. It's such an unusual restaurant concept and so many people come back again and again once they've discovered us. It's so gratifying that all those who've been behind the transformation have been praised for their efforts."